Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

After Returning to the Country Arc 5: Memorial Festival

At the end of the 8th month, 1,547th year, Continental Calendar

It happened in Royal Capital Parnam, on a day when the summer heat was still far from fading, in the large room in Parnam Castle where the bureaucrats who handled finance worked (AKA the Finance Room).

In one corner of that room was a set of sofas in a reception area, and these were currently occupied by Roroa Amidonia, the former Princess of Amidonia, who was now a candidate to become Soumas third primary queen, and the Minister of Finance Gatsby Colbert, both of them with dour looks on their faces.

There were a number of documents sitting on the table between them. These documents were the source of their current headaches.

What will we do, princess? Colbert asked.

Aint nothin we can do, Roroa said, leaning back in the sofa and looking up at the ceiling. Unusually for the ever-cheery Roroa, she looked depressed. Sure, I said, If any of you out thereve got some an interestin festival to share, just you let us know. I told the bureaucrats to come up with event ideas that could get the money movin, too. But still... aint this one kinda bad?

Roroa looked at the words on the document she had picked up with a face that looked like she had bitten into something unpleasant.

Colbert felt exactly the same way. Youre right. If done wrong, it could cause a major problem that would shake the foundations of this country.

I know, right? Honestly! Festivals are supposed to be for gettin the economy goin, so I want ideas thatre more fun.

As Roroa slumped her shoulders and sighed, Colbert sympathized. He had been her associate since they were in the Principality of Amidonia, and was likewise an expert on economic matters, so he knew exactly how she felt.

Then... do we ignore this one? he asked.

Colberts considerate words made Roroa hesitate for a moment, but eventually she resigned herself and shook her head quietly.

No can do, Im afraid. Its gathered a good number of signatures, hasnt it? Id be scared to ignore it.

...Thats true.

Besides, if we let you or me be the final word of whether we end up doin an event or not, that may end up leadin to unneeded trouble. Our positions bein what they are, Roroa added in a self-mocking manner.

Unable to watch her any longer, Colbert worked up his spirits and said, I think its best to consult with His Majesty here.

Were gonna get Darlin caught up in this problem? ...I dont wanna.

Well, if we are going to carry out this project, we will need to receive permission from His Majesty, regardless. Its only a difference of whether it happens sooner rather than later.

Well, yeah, youre right, but... havin it be me goin to ask him about it, and makin Darlin feel that way... Wont he end up thinkin Im a troublesome woman?

Roroas worries had, at some point, transitioned to those of a teenage girl.

Even with her unique financial sense, and even if she could make decisions that decided the fate of the principality, Roroa was still a seventeen-year-old girl. It was only natural shed be concerned how the man she liked saw her.

For Colbert, who saw Roroa like a little sister, her attitude brought a smile to his face. From what I know of His Majesty, he wont treat you badly over something as small as this, princess.

Ya mean it?

If youd like, I could bring it up with him myself.

...Nngh, Im thinkin I gotta do this myself.

Roroa made her decision, stood up, resolved herself, and went to see Souma.

As he watched her go, Colbert cheered her on in his heart.

The Gaius Memorial Festival? I repeated.

Roroa was silent.

I had been doing my paperwork in the governmental affairs office again today, as per usual, when Roroa had come in and presented me with a document that was a few pages long.

While thinking the usually energetic Roroa seemed awfully reserved today, my gaze had fallen to the papers, and... there was the title Gaius Memorial Festivals Draft Proposal.

Gaius... huh.

By Gaius... it means Gaius VIII, right?

Gaius VIII. The man who was Roroas father, as well as the Prince of Amidonia.

The Principality of Amidonia had lost more than half its territory in a war with the king before the last one. In order to avenge that humiliation, Gaius had started instigating trouble inside the kingdom and aiming for an opportunity to take revenge.

Then, when I was having a disagreement with the former General of the Army, Georg Carmine, Gaius had seen his chance and lead the forces of the principality to invade the kingdom.

The forces of the principality had passed through the Ursula Mountains, our southwest border with them, and laid siege to the central city of the southern grain producing region, Altomura. Gaius had intended to take Altomura while Georg and I were fighting, and annex the surrounding grain producing region to his country. I was sure of that.

However, this was a trap Hakuya had set up using a fake insurrection by Georg to lure Gaius out. In order to root out troublemakers from inside the kingdom, we had first needed to reduce the influence of their supporters in the princely family of Amidonia.

After ending Georgs fake insurrection and bringing the three dukes into line, we had immediately declared war on the principality.

Then, making it look like I would launch a blitz invasion of Van, the capital of the principality, I had waited for the forces of the principality that retreated to defend their capital at a plain near Van.

Then, finally, the forces of the kingdom and principality had clashed outside Van.

Looking at the result, the more numerous forces of the kingdom had defeated the forces of the principality who were exhausted from their retreat, but with Gaiuss forces showing serious grit in the battle.

Even with the forces of the principality in a state of total collapse, Gaius and his closest retainers had launched a suicide attack to allow Crown Prince Julius to escape, and closed in on the kingdoms main camp, with me in it.

Because of my extreme situation, I had forced myself into the role of king so thoroughly at that time that I hadnt felt anything, but... looking back now, it made me shiver.

In the middle of the 9th month, 1,547th year, Continental Calendar

I blinked and stared. What is this...?

We were on the shore of a major river near Van, the capital of the former Principality of Amidonia.

Looking at the fleet on that great river, I whispered that despite myself.

It was no exaggeration to call it a fleet. There were tens of small, fast boats decorated in gorgeous colors, and they shone brilliantly on the evening river.

What? Its the Toh-roh Nagashi, aint it? Roroa asked me with a blank look on her face. The boats with lanterns on em are floatin in the river, just like you were sayin, darlin.

No, no, these are way too big... Oops. I never said anything about the size, did I?

Id only told her to send boats with lanterns down the river. Id meant boats of a size you could carry in your hands, but from the way Id explained it, I couldnt blame her for thinking I meant small boats.

However, when they got to this size, it was no longer Tourou Nagashi, and it was closer to another event called Shourou Nagashi, or the Spirit Boat Procession. The one from that famous song by Masashi Sada that my grandpa liked. The spirit boat in Nagasaki is paraded around on land, but I hear there are places where its actually sent down a river.

Yeah... Id heard funny stories of people who heard the song Shourou Nagashi and thought it was about Tourou Nagashi, but I never thought Id see the opposite.

On top of that, youve put a lot of work into the designs of all the boats, too, I added.

The small, fast boats on the river were all painted in super gaudy colors. Most had some sort of motif. Some were like Viking longboats, while others were designed like Naden in her ryuu form or a pegasus, and there were even others shaped like melons, daikon radishes, or other fruits and vegetables. There were even boats with music bands on board, and they were all playing cheery tunes.

The procession of lights and cheery music reminded me of the electrical parade in a certain kingdom-themed amusement park.

It looks really fun, but this doesnt feel like a Memorial Festival.

Whatre you sayin? Roroa asked with a look of exasperation. Its partly your fault it turned out like this, now isnt it, darlin?

My fault?

Thats right. When you were occupyin Van, you taught the people here how much fun freedom of expression could be, didnt ya? Ever since, Vans been a city of the arts.

So I hear. I thought it was better than them resisting, so I never thought much of it, though...

Because of that, a whole lotta young artists have been gatherin here from around the kingdom. That bizarre fleet is a product of those artists overflowin passion.

...Seriously?

To think my policy would result in this.

No matter what we did, there was always a result, good or bad, but that result wasnt the end of it. The influence of what we had done carried on after the result. That would continue for as long as there were people to do things. When I thought that, the bizarre scene before me felt moving.

Soumas voice echoed across the river chosen for the event. On the stage set up aboard the Roroa Maru, Souma was giving the opening address of the Gaius Memorial Festival in his role as king.

Roroa was standing next to him, staying close by his side.

By having the two of them stand there in harmony, they represented the solidarity between the Elfrieden Kingdom and the Principality of Amidonia, which had united to become a single state.

This scene was being broadcast throughout Friedonia over the Jewel Voice Broadcast. Souma continued with his remarks.

Much blood was shed by both countries in that conflict, and lives were lost. The peace we have now rests upon those sacrifices. To ensure we do not forget that, we have decided to hold this Gaius Memorial Festival to reflect on the dignity of the late Sir Gaius.

Souma paused there for a moment, steadying his breath before he continued.

Even now, I remember it. In the final stage of that battle, as he charged boldly towards me with his closest retainers, Sir Gaius cut a heroic figure. Unaffected and sincere. These are words that were made to describe a personage such as he. Though he was defeated, he was a true manifestation of the Amidonian peoples spirit. Let me say this definitively. I feared Gaius VIII!

The way he struggled onward, pursuing his revenge against the Elfrieden Kingdom, almost made him seem like a fierce deity. For someone from the Elfrieden Kingdom, he was an unusually difficult person to deal with. However, I cannot reject that tenacity of his outright. That is because there is no doubting that tenacity was for the sake of his people. It was to make the Principality of Amidonia rise. For a warrior like Sir Gaius, I am sure that was the only way available to him.

Ohh, Prince Gaius, a person in the crowd moaned.

Your gallant figure is burned into my eyes! cried another.

You maintained your pride as a warrior! Can there be any greater happiness?

The lamentations of former officers of the principality could be heard from the boats.

Gaiuss policies had prioritized strengthening the military, and they had placed no shortage of burdens on the people of the principality, but there were certainly still those who respected his dignity.

Every person had their good and bad sides. He was no longer among us, so why not let them turn a blind eye to his faults, and fondly discuss their good memories? There was no need to continuing whipping him when he was already dead.

Knowing this was the most challenging part, Souma raised his voice.

So, let me declare it here! Let the grudge long held by the princely family sink deep, together with Sir Gaius! I will inherit his love for his people! I will protect Princess Roroa here for all my life, and protect the lives and property of this countrys people, irrespective of whether they come from the Elfrieden Region or Amidonia Region! If I should stray from this path, and do anything to make Princess Roroa or her people cry, Sir Gaius would no doubt rise from Hades, stand at my pillow, and curse me to death! In order to avoid that, I intend to fulfill my duties as king to the best of my ability!

When Souma declared that, loud applause rose up from the boats.

It looked like he had satisfied the hearts of the Amidonian people.

The king of the victors was giving a speech to the defeated people.

If he was high-handed, they would push back against it, and if he was too weak, they would look down on him.

Souma had to be careful with these opening remarks, but hed managed to do it by focusing on Gaiuss dignity.

While internally feeling relieved, he wrapped up his statement.

Okay, that does it for these stiff opening remarks! There is no kingdom or principality now! Let the grudges and sadness sink to Hades with the dead! Tonight, let us mourn the departed, and celebrate the joys of living together! Now, drink, eat, and sing! While remembering Gaius and all those who have left us! I hereby announce the opening of the Gaius Memorial Festival!

With Soumas words, the greatest cheer yet today went up.

Dont ya think youre praisin my old man just a lil bit too highly? Roroa asked me with a smirk when my opening remarks were finished.

The people were already having a raucous good time out on the river.

On the shining boats there were people drinking, telling stories, listening to musicians play, and Juna and her loreleis were singing. There was no Elfrieden or Amidonia now, and the initial goal of remembering the dead was forgotten. But that was fine. Because we should be celebrating. The living needed to be celebrating the joy of life with everything they had now.

Om, nom, nom, nom!

Whoa, whoa, Aisha, Naden burst out. Isnt that a bit much at one time?

Urgh... Aisha pounded on her chest like she was choking on something.

See, I told you so. Tomoe, fetch some water, Naden said as she tended to Aisha.

O-Okay, Naden!

Oh... That might me celebrating a little too much.

I shrugged my shoulders in exasperation, resting my hand on Roroas head. There may have been some exaggeration, but there was no lie in what I said. Sir Gaius acted in the way he thought was best for this country.

Our paths may not have converged, but I was sure that he had lived his life to the best of his ability. And as a fellow ruler, there were places where I could sympathize with him.

So, at the very least, I would protect Roroa and this country, the proof that he existed. I would tie the things I had inherited from him to the next era.

As I was renewing my will to do so, Roroa grinned at me. When you said youll protect me for life, too...?

Of course I meant it.

Mweheheh. I really do love ya, darlin.

Roroa wrapped her arms around my neck and jumped up, planting a kiss on my lips.

Ow! She had too much momentum, and our teeth hit. I wrapped my arms around Roroas waist, and Roroa was suspended in the air. It was an odd position to be kissing in.

When Roroa moved her face away from mine after a while, she gave me the best smile she had yet today.

Ya declared youd do it, so I aint gonna let it go if you dont take good care of me for life, darlin.